THE Minister responsible for Disabled People, Health & Work, Chloe Smith, praised Warrington as a gold standard for disability care during a visit to the town to speak to disability champions and partners.
The Department for Work & Pensions Minister, who was joined by Warrington South MP Andy Carter, spent the day at the Warrington Disability Partnership, meeting with their Chief Executive Dave Thompson and a number of local community groups and organisations from across Cheshire.
She also took time out to trial a disability scooter on a special track developed by Warrington Disability Partnership, to provide training for first-time users or for people buying scooters from their linked disability business, Warrington Disability Trading Company.
Her visit came as the Government announced a £2.5 million package to support disabled people travelling more confidently on the transport network as it reopens after coronavirus.
During her visit the Minister also met with players of the Warrington Wolves Physical Disability Rugby Leave (PDRL) team at Victoria Park. PDRL is a modified version of the game for anyone that has a Physical Disability and/or acquired brain injury that would usually stop them from playing Rugby League.
Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “We’ve had an absolutely packed agenda here in Warrington today with Disability Minister Chloe Smith. Meeting with different partners from across Cheshire, it underlines just how much work is happening in the disability sector here and the Warrington Disability Partnership, in particular, should be very proud of its achievements.
“Raising awareness of disabilities and promoting well-being through sport is also something that I believe in. We want to be able to attract support from all sections of society, so it was great to take the Minister over to Victoria Park to show her the great work that the Warrington Wolves Foundation are doing and to meet some of the players.
“We all have a role to play in changing the mindset around disability, and employers and organisations in Warrington are stepping up to the challenge by creating more inclusive workplaces and communities.”
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith MP said: “It was fantastic to visit Warrington and see the wonderful work of the Warrington Disability Partnership in helping disabled people live independent lives.
“It was also a real pleasure to meet with some of the Warrington Wolves Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) team and see first-hand the value and transformative power of sport in the local community.”
